The financial ruin of France
philosophers like Rousseau did bring about a shift in the ‘ mentalities ’ of the French people and separated them from their Bourbon monarch. If Louis had been more politically astute, he could have mademore effort to alter his image, actions and persona to suit this new trend. French cultural attitudes were undergoing a shift, but the monarchy, thanks to Louis, was standing still. Louis' failure, therefore, to adapt to the new, enlightened culture held by metropolitan French 'citizens' is an important factor in the causes of the French Revolution. The King, however, was the most important factor in starting the French Revolution in 1789. Louis XVI’s ineptitude was responsible for radical izing the population in the final days before the revolution. In 1788, after bankrupting the nation, Louis had to recall the Estates-General, the nation's ultimate representative institution, which had last met in 1614. At this point, France was on the brink of collapse. Famine was becoming a real possibility, huge hyperinflation combined with high levels of unemployment made revolution likely, but still avoidable. Louis missed this chance when he invited this angry population to take part in a radical process of popular consultation. On the King's demand, each order – the clergy, nobility and the rest – was asked to come upwith a list of grievances they wanted to be addressed. 10 This mobilized the population. Even then, however, the revolution could have been avoided. If Louis had handled the Estates-General with a degree of tact, playing the role of an enlightened monarch helping his people, a peaceful solution could have been reached. However, instead of openness and communication, the King played the role of an all-powerful French tyrant, making a despotic threat and then quickly backed down. Arbitrary despotism was shown to be cowardice. The third estate, the societal order made up of everyone who wasn’t a clergyman or a nobleman, was then radicalised. This made the revolution inevitable. Therefore, Louis XVI was the most important factor in starting the French Revolution. The financial impact of the American Revolution's on its French counterpart was not the most important factor leading to the French Revolution in 1789. A competent finance minister, such as Jacques Necker, proved it was possible to keep the debt created by the war under control. When Louis meddled in Frances financial affairs and sacked Necker the country was soon bankrupt. Cultural shifts were also important. French Enlightenment culture changed the mentalité of the French people, and they started seeing the monarchy as the antithesis of their newly enlightened values. Louis' inability to adapt and evolve with these changes separated him from his people. This separation was then used by political actors to start the revolution. More important than finance and culture in bringing about a revolution was the King himself. Louis was incompetent, weak and chronically indecisive. His failing set France off on a chain of events that ended in revolution. Crucially, the King's responsibility is not confined to one area. He played a part in politically radicalizing the population, he was involved in creating a revolutionary culture and he was involved in France’s financial ruin . His disastrous actions and interventions in these areas mean he was the most important factor leading to the French Revolution in 1789.
Bibliography
Compte Rendu au Roi. Doyle, W. (1999) Origins of the French Revolution . New York Encyclopédie. Gallo, M. (2010) Révolution Française 1. Le people et le roi , Paris
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